The Phantom Tollbooth

1970·Movie
1h 30min·G
85
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.8Metacritic––Rotten Tomatoes100%75%

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Phantom Tollbooth fingerprint

Very funny, big heart.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Spectacle6
  • Adrenaline5

Heart

Awe-inspiring and uplifting

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Wonder10
  • Hopefulness9
  • Wholesome8

Humor

Plenty of sharp wit and absurdist humor

  • Wit & Wordplay10
  • Absurdist Humor9
  • Physical Comedy4

World

Fantasy and growing up

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion9
  • Novelty9
  • Dialogue Centrality8

Craft

Standout dialogue and direction

  • Dialogue Quality9
  • Direction8
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Standout visual style

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Visual Stylization9
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want dark or edgy material

Find more like it

Feel Good moviesFunny moviesNostalgic moviesWhimsical movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

It's an Alphabeautiful Mathemagical New Musical Movie!

The Phantom Tollbooth, based upon the children's adventure novel by Norton Juster, tells the story of a bored young boy named Milo. Unexpectedly receiving a magic tollbooth and, having nothing better to do, Milo drives through it and enters a kingdom in turmoil following the loss of its princesses, Rhyme and Reason.
Fantasy AdventureWordplay & PunsMixed MediaChildren's ClassicSurreal JourneyCelebration of LearningChuck Jones AnimationAbsurdist HumorNostalgic

Crew

Directed by:
Chuck Jones, Dave Monahan, Abe Levitow
Written by:
Chuck Jones, Norton Juster, Sam Rosen
Produced by:
Chuck Jones, Abe Levitow, Les Goldman
Composed by:
Dean Elliott, Lee Pockriss

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Phantom Tollbooth

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Phantom Tollbooth legally?

You can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Phantom Tollbooth worth watching?

85
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 85/100 (IMDb 6.8 and Rotten Tomatoes 100%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Phantom Tollbooth rated?

G

It's rated G in the United States.

How long is The Phantom Tollbooth?

1 h 30 min

The Phantom Tollbooth runs 1 h 30 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Phantom Tollbooth?

Critics100
Audiences72

Not quite. Critics rate The Phantom Tollbooth higher (100) than audiences (72). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Phantom Tollbooth in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Phantom Tollbooth?

28ARATAUBOCACLCOCRDEDKECFIGBGG+14

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Phantom Tollbooth in 28 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Phantom Tollbooth use?

Adaptational AbominationNon-Indicative NameGolden Mean FallacyKangaroo CourtDelayed ReactionAn AesopWeaksauce WeaknessThe Film of the BookBookshelf DominoesFaux Affably EvilIn the DoldrumsIn the Doldrumsand 147 more

TV Tropes lists 159 storytelling tropes for The Phantom Tollbooth, including Adaptational Abomination, Non-Indicative Name, Golden Mean Fallacy.

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